Methods and apparatus for continuous extrusion

Abstract

An annular groove (35) is located in an outer surface of an inner toroid (31), and is partly covered by an inner surface of an outer toroid (32). Alternatively, an annular groove (25) is located in an inner surface of an outer toroid (22), and is partly covered by an outer surface of an inner toroid (21). As the toroids are rotated together about different, intersecting axes, an elongated workpiece (W) is introduced into an open portion of the annular groove, advances into the closed portion of the annular groove, and is extruded through a die (48) upon again approaching the open portion of the annular groove, thereby forming an elongated product (P).

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the elongated workpiece into a first portion of an annular groove in one of two mating surfaces, the two mating surfaces being an outer surface of an inner toroid and an inner surface of an outer toroid, the inner and outer toroids having respective axes which intersect at such an angle that a second portion of the annular groove is covered by the mating surface which does not include the annular groove while said first portion of the annular groove is not covered by said mating surface which does not include the annular groove;   (b) rotating the inner and outer toroids simultaneously about their respective axes, in such direction of rotation that the elongated workpiece is advanced from said first portion of the annular groove into said second portion of the annular groove, and then into a deforming agency as the advancing, elongated workpiece again approaches said first portion of the annular groove; and   (c) so deforming the elongated workpiece within the deforming agency as to produce an elongated product of indefinite length.   
     
     
       2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises: (d) introducing the elongated workpiece into a first portion of an annular groove in said outer surface of the inner toroid.   
     
     
       3. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises: (d) introducing the elongated workpiece into a first portion of an annular groove in said inner surface of the outer toroid.   
     
     
       4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deforming agency comprises an extrusion die, the method further comprising a preliminary step of: (d) coating an outer periphery of the elongated workpiece with a hydrostatic medium.   
     
     
       5. A method of continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing the elongated workpiece into a first portion of an annular groove in an outer surface of an inner toroid, the inner toroid being mounted within an outer toroid having an inner surface configured to mate with the outer surface of the inner toroid, the inner and outer toroids having respective axes which intersect at such an angle that a second portion of the annular groove is covered by the inner surface of the outer toroid while said first portion of the annular groove is not covered by the inner surface of the outer toroid; and   (b) rotating the inner and outer toroids simultaneously about their respective axes, in such direction of rotation that the elongated workpiece is advanced from said first portion of the annular groove into said second portion of the annular groove, and then into a deforming agency as the advancing, elongated workpiece again approaches said first portion of the annular groove; and   (c) so deforming the elongated workpiece within the deforming agency as to produce an elongated product of indefinite length.   
     
     
       6. A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said deforming agency comprises an extrusion die, the method further comprising a preliminary step of: (d) coating an outer periphery of the elongated workpiece with a hydrostatic medium.   
     
     
       7. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, the apparatus comprising: an inner toroid;   an outer toroid having an inner surface configured to mate with an outer surface of said inner toroid, one of said mating surfaces including an annular groove;   means mounting the inner and outer toroids for rotation, with an axis of the inner toroid and an axis of the outer toroid intersecting at a central plane of the outer toroid intersecting at such an angle that a first portion of said annular groove is not covered by the mating surface which does not include the annular groove while a second portion of the annular groove is covered by said mating surface which does not include the annular groove;   means, located adjacent to said first portion of the annular groove, for introducing the elongated workpiece of indefinite length into the first portion of the annular groove;   means for rotating the inner and outer toroids simultaneously about their respective axes, in such direction of rotation that the elongated workpiece is advanced from said introducing means into said second portion of the annular groove; and   means, located to receive the advancing, elongated workpiece within said second portion of the annular groove, for so deforming the advancing, elongated workpiece as to produce an elongated product of indefinite length.   
     
     
       8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said annular grove is located in the outer surface of said inner toroid. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said annular groove is located in the inner surface of said outer toroid. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length to produce an elongated product of indefinite length, the apparatus comprising: an inner toroid having an annular groove in an outer surface thereof;   an outer toroid having an inner surface configured to mate with said outer surface of the inner toroid;   means mounting the inner and outer toroids for rotation, with an axis of the inner toroid and an axis of the outer toroid intersecting at such an angle that a first portion of said annular groove in the inner toroid is not covered by said inner surface of the outer toroid while a second portion of the annular groove is covered by the inner surface of the outer toroid;   means, located adjacent to said first portion of the annular groove, for introducing the elongated workpiece of indefinite length into the first portion of the annular groove;   means for rotating the inner and outer toroids simultaneously about their respective axes, in such direction of rotation that the elongated workpiece is advanced from said introducing means into said second portion of the annular groove; and   means, located to receive the advancing, elongated workpiece within said second portion of the annular groove, for so deforming the advancing, elongated workpiece as to produce an elongated product of indefinite length.